WGBH News and Media Relations

Massachusetts Parents and Teachers Unanimously Endorse WGBH’s High School Quiz Show

BOSTON, Mass. (January 27, 2014) –Citing WGBH’s commitment to education and efforts to celebrate student achievement, the Massachusetts PTA has unanimously endorsed WGBH’sEmmy and Parents’ Choice Award-winning High School Quiz Show. Now in its fifth year, High School Quiz Show brings generations and communities together to shine a spotlight on the Commonwealth’s public schools. Season five of High School Quiz Show premieres Saturday, February 8 at 6pm on WGBH 2.

“As President of the Massachusetts PTA, I am delighted to support High School Quiz Show. This production invites students from all corners of the Commonwealth to engage in a spirited educational challenge. In the process, students develop confidence in their performance, apply their knowledge and skills to support the team, and treasure their experience at WGBH,” said Massachusetts PTA President Dr. Erik Champy. “It is of no surprise that the entire Massachusetts PTA Board of Directors endorses this program and encourages more schools to become part of this opportunity to celebrate learning.”

The Massachusetts PTA’s mission is to make every child’s potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children. Established in 1910, the Massachusetts PTA is the oldest and largest volunteer advocacy association for children and youth in the Commonwealth. Today, the non-profit organization speaks up for family engagement language in laws; safe, healthy, and technologically advanced schools; and equal opportunity for all children, regardless of their socioeconomic background.

“We are proud to be recognized by Massachusetts parents, who are in many ways among the most important educators in our state. Massachusetts PTA unites the forces of home, school, and community on behalf of the educational success of children,” said Executive Producer Hillary Wells. “We know first hand that the families, teachers, and team coaches of the students who participate on High School Quiz Show—from the “Super Sunday” qualifying event to the televised competition—play a critical role in each team’s success. It’s an honor to receive Massachusetts PTA’s endorsement as a public acknowledgement of our mission.”

Production for the series is underway, with quarterfinals, semifinals and the state championship scheduled to tape in front of a studio audience at WGBH Studios this weekend (Saturday, February 1 and Sunday, February 2). Media wishing to attend the tapings must email WGBH Media Relations’ Regina Daleyto receive press credentials.Participants and results are confidential and embargoed until after broadcast.

High School Quiz aligns with the Massachusetts high school curriculum standards in subjects that include literature, history, science and math, as well as current events and general knowledge. The program also is endorsed by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education.

High School Quiz Showis a part of WGBH’s long-standing commitment to serving the Commonwealth’s educational efforts. In addition to its broadcast commitment, WGBH serves as Massachusetts’ digital media partner on two ambitious federally-supported Race to the Top initiatives aimed at reshaping learning for the 21st century. In 2002, WGBH created Teachers’ Domain, which is cited as the foundation for what is now PBS LearningMedia, a national broadband service for teachers and students.

Major funding for High School Quiz Show is provided by Safety Insurance and the Bank of America Charitable Foundation. Additional funding is provided by Massachusetts Teachers Association, XFINITY from Comcast, Harvard Summer School Secondary School Program, Bentley University, Subaru of New England and the WGBH Children’s Educational Media Fund. The Princeton Review judges the televised competition and reviews the program’s questions.

About WGBH
WGBH Boston is America’s preeminent public broadcaster and the largest producer of PBS content for TV and the Web, including Masterpiece, Antiques Roadshow, Frontline, Nova, American Experience, Arthur, Curious George, and more than a dozen other prime-time, lifestyle, and children’s series. WGBH’s television channels include WGBH 2, WGBX 44, and the digital channels World and Create. WGBH TV productions focusing on the region’s diverse community include Greater Boston, Basic Black, High School Quiz Show, and Neighborhood Kitchens. WGBH Radio serves listeners across New England with 89.7 WGBH Boston Public Radio; 99.5 WCRB; and WCAI, the Cape and Islands NPR® Station. WGBH also is a major source of programs for public radio (among them, PRI’s The World®), a leader in educational multimedia (including PBS LearningMedia™, providing the nation’s educators with free, curriculum-based digital content), and a pioneer in technologies and services that make media accessible to deaf, hard of hearing, blind, and visually impaired audiences. WGBH has been recognized with hundreds of honors: Emmys, Peabodys, duPont-Columbia Awards and Oscars. Find more information at wgbh.org.